Father Time will eventually catch up with LeBron James and the idea of his swan song may be closer to than fans might think. After a recent game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies, the 39-year-old basketball legend gave a candid admission about his future in the sport. Speaking to reporters, James revealed, “I’m not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest. I don’t know how many years that is. If it’s one year or two years, whatever the case may be.”
What’s crazy is despite these hints at retirement, James continues to defy age on the court. In the same game against the Grizzlies, he made history by becoming the oldest player ever to record three consecutive triple-doubles. James finished the game with an impressive 35 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds, solidifying his ongoing dominance in the league.
Get this, during his post-game interview, James reflected on his longevity, explaining that his physical ability is tied closely to his mindset. “It’s not me, it’s the mind,” he said. “Wherever my mind is is how the rest of my body’s gonna go or whatever the case may be.” He added, “I said the other night, I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not going to be that guy. I’m not going to be the guy who is disrespecting the game because I just wanted to be out on the floor. That won’t be me.”
We all see that James is still playing at an elite level, he’s also mindful of his legacy and the need to step away at the right time. Beyond basketball, James is cherishing the opportunity to occasionally play alongside his son, Bronny, an experience he calls one of his “greatest gifts.”
When it comes to what’s really important to James, he reflected on his family life, adding “It’s always been family over everything. For me, I lost a lot of time because of this league and committing to this league. Being on the road at times, missing a lot of his things, Bryce’s things, Zhuri’s things, so to be able to have this moment where I’m working still and I can work alongside my son, it’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever gotten from the man above and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”
Former NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Rudy Gay have entered the chat when it comes to the drama between Drake a DeMar DeRozan. The two former NBA Stars turned podcasters offered their unique views on the ongoing kind of feud between the rapper and the basketball player.
Listen, as you probably know this all comes from Drake’s longstanding rivalry with Kendrick Lamar, which has had ripple effects in the sports world.
Carmelo Anthony gave his seven cents (get it because of his number, ha) on his show 7PM in Brooklyn, shared his thoughts on the situation, explaining that Drake’s feelings might be hurt due to the close bond he had with DeRozan during their time together in Toronto. “I think Drake was hurt a little bit because of the relationship he built with DeMar in Toronto,” Melo dished. “Representing the 6, Raptors—you know that was a lot of connection with those two. He’s a Raptor for life from a basketball standpoint. Yes, that jersey should be going up.” Anthony highlighted how deep the connection ran, with both men sharing a link to the Raptors and their city.
Now ICYMI, Rudy Gay, recently and reluctantly retired from the NBA and is now a recurring co-host on 7PM in Brooklyn, didn’t hold back in expressing his disapproval of Drake’s recent actions. “That’s wack, man. Drake is wack for that,” Gay stated, referring to Drake’s public comments about DeRozan. Gay’s sentiment was clear: if Drake had an issue with DeRozan, he should’ve addressed it directly instead of making things public. “You gotta pull up on DeMar if you feel that way before you go on camera,” Gay added.
What’s more, Melo echoed Gay’s thoughts, especially regarding Drake’s remarks about pulling down DeRozan’s potential Raptors banner. “Drake did a lot when he said I’ma go up there and take it down. That part is a lot,” Carmelo commented. However, he also acknowledged that DeRozan may have unintentionally become an antagonist to Drake when he appeared on stage with Kendrick Lamar during The Pop Out concert and starred in the music video for “Not Like Us.” Melo said, “Those are shots. You my man, we in the crib, we hanging, we building the 6 up. From that standpoint, that would f**k me up, too. I’m gonna feel a way no matter what, but yes, you do have a conversation. As a man, you have a conversation.”
Rudy Gay went on to agree with Anthony, emphasizing that if there was an issue, Drake should’ve addressed it with DeRozan privately. “If you got a problem, come at me,” Gay said. “To see your man’s out there dancing with the enemy, that’s kinda crazy.”
To recap, the drama escalated earlier this month when Drake was courtside at a Toronto Raptors game against the Sacramento Kings. During the broadcast, Drake was heard calling DeRozan a “goof” and jokingly threatening to take down his Raptors banner if it were ever put up. After the game, which the Raptors won, Drake was seen mouthing “Fk outta here, puy” as DeRozan walked off the court. When DeRozan was asked about the banner comments during a post-game press conference, he responded, “Well he gon’ have a long way to climb to take it down, so tell him good luck.”
This cross culture beef, spanning rap and ball, marks a sharp turn in their relationship, which was once much warmer. Just three years ago, DeRozan had publicly stated that Drake would “forever have a friend” in him, even after being traded from the Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs. Despite being blindsided by the trade, DeRozan received support from Drake, who invited him over to his house and offered words of encouragement. Even after his appearance in Kendrick Lamar’s video, DeRozan maintained that he still had love for Drake. However, based on their recent interactions, that camaraderie seems to have faded.
A report from TMZ Sports has confirmed that the 2001 NBA Slam Dunk champ was put behind bars in Oklahoma yesterday (November 13).
Desmond Mason was detained and placed i nOklahoma County Detention Center on a charge of contempt of court, but was released almost 10 hours later on a $50K bond.
Court documents show that Mason did not appear in the court for divorce proceedings with his estranged wife, Andrea Mason, therefore, he was held in contempt.
The former Seattle Supersonics player was drafter in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft. The very next year Mason out performed Dave Leggete, Baron Davis and a host of other NBA stars to take home the Slam Dunk Champion title. In 2003, Mason was the runner-up against Jason Richardson in the popular NBA dunk fest.
Remember back in 2019, when LeBron James made history by recording triple-doubles in three consecutive games, a feat never accomplished by a player his age. He was 34 years old. Seems like ages ago.
James, now 39, did it again. Although his stat lines were less eye-popping this time around, his performance was still extraordinary. Against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, he recorded a 21-point triple-double, followed by a 19-point triple-double against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. After a few days of rest, James came back with a vengeance on Wednesday, posting 35 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds in a 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
What is going on with Father Time? He must be out on vacation and let’s keep him there because we don’t ever want LeBron to retire, ha!
Get this, with that game, James not only secured his third consecutive triple-double but also broke his own record, becoming the oldest player to achieve the feat by more than five years. At 39 years and 319 days old, he surpassed his previous record from 2019 when he was 34 years and 310 days old. Before James, the record was held by Jason Kidd, who set it at 34 years and 291 days. Interestingly, Kidd was on the Lakers’ coaching staff when James first set the record in 2019.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised James’ mastery of the game, saying, “He’s mastered the game.” See at least somebody truly understands what LeBron is giving us night in and night out.
Redick, who is in his first year as head coach, also deserves some credit for James’ recent run of form. After a loss to the Grizzlies on November 6, Redick made the decision to bench former starting point guard D’Angelo Russell in favor of Cam Reddish. Since then, James has been handling the point guard duties for the Lakers, a role he last took on during the 2019-20 season.
This change has allowed James to fully embrace his playmaking abilities, a role he has excelled in throughout his career. The Lakers, understanding the importance of preserving James’ aging body, have long sought additional ball handlers to ease his workload.
The results have been evident in his recent performances. With the ball in his hands and versatile players around him, James continues to thrive. While his triple-doubles may not be sustainable in the long run, his ability to lead the team and create opportunities for his teammates is undeniable.
The Lakers, now 7-4 on the season, have yet to lose during this stretch, and if James can maintain even a fraction of this level of play, the team’s prospects moving forward look bright.
Maybe he’ll give us one more triple double in a row for good measure to put the feat really out of reach for anyone who might try to out do him in say, twenty years.
Yesterday (November 13) at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) and the Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) came face to face at the final press conference before their historic bout.
All fighters on the main and preliminary cards participated in the press conference, including undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs), who will face off in the most-anticipated women’s boxing rematch in history. Additional fighters showcased included Mario Barrios, Abel Ramos, Neeraj Goyat, Whindersson Nunes, Shadasia Green, Melinda Watpool, Lucas Bahdi, Armando Casamonica, Shu Shu Carrington Jr., and Dana Coolwell.
Hosted by renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, the fighters had plenty to say at the press conference about their upcoming matchups.
Netflix and MVP’s fight week events conclude with the Paul vs. Tyson Public Weigh-In on Thursday, November 14, which will begin at 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT. The event will stream on MVP’s YouTube channel, Netflix’s YouTube channel, MVP’s Instagram, and Netflix’s Tudum.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson will stream live globally, exclusively on Netflix on Friday, November 15 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The co-main event features undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) vs. unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) in the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in history.
Paul vs. Tyson will be available to stream live globally on all Netflix plans, at no additional cost to subscribers. The broadcast will feature live commentary in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French and German.
After well over a decade and four championships, Draymond Green, like many of his Golden State Warriors teammates, considered the possibility of starting fresh with a new team. Hey, Klay Thompson did it and it seems to be working out for him, so far.
However, unlike Thompson, Green ultimately chose to stay with the only NBA franchise he has ever known. As a first-time free agent in June 2023, Green flirted with the idea of joining the Memphis Grizzlies, who offered him a more lucrative contract than Golden State. Yet, it was advice from his close friend and longtime rival, LeBron James, that played a significant role in his decision to remain with the Warriors.
Draymond on Memphis. Can you imagine?
Get this, on a recent episode of The Warner House podcast with San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, Green opened up about how James influenced his decision to stay in the Bay Area. “The number one piece of advice that he gave me, and there’s millions of them,” Green said of James, “but the one that stands out to me the most, more than anything, was when I came to an inflection point of do I leave the Warriors or do I [sign with the Grizzlies]?”
At the time, Green was doing what rich people do, hanging out in Paris during Fashion Week. While everyone was showing off their Louis, Versace and Gucci fits, he was engaged in deep phone conversations about his future.
Draymond was speaking with Rich Paul, his agent, and Warriors executives like Mike Dunleavy and Joe Lacob, while LeBron was right there by his side. “He’s sitting at the table, I gotta answer the phone for Rich [Paul], talking to Mike Dunleavy, talking to Joe Lacob, and he’s right there taking it all in,” Green recalled.
With a lot on the line, he was faced with a significant decision: Memphis had offered him a three-year, $105 million contract, whereas the Warriors extended a four-year, $100 million deal. The financial difference was considerable, and Memphis also offered the advantage of no state taxes. So, Green turned to LeBron for guidance, asking, “What would you do?”
James, who has a deep understanding of the game, as the arguable GOAT that he is, gave his candid advice. “It’s hard to pass up the money,” Green recalled James saying, but the Lakers star emphasized the value of what Green had built with the Warriors. “He keeps going back to everything Golden State means to me, everything that I’ve done there,” Green said. “And ultimately, his advice was more so like, ‘You’ve just done something so special there, you have a chance to continue there and keep doing it? Why not? You can go to Memphis and do great things and you can possibly be the missing piece to them doing something special, but is it as special as y’all have done? Would that be as special as y’all have done?’”
Green found this perspective particularly meaningful, especially considering the history between him, LeBron, and the Warriors. “That’s also someone that, in what’s special that we’ve done, a lot of it he was on the wrong side of,” Green explained. “And to give that perspective in those moments, regardless of what side you were on during it, that meant a lot to me.”
LeBron’s wisdom and advice resonated with Green not just because of their friendship, but also because of the unique perspective James offered. Having lost to Golden State in several high-stakes playoff series—including in the NBA Finals—LeBron’s understanding of what the Warriors had accomplished made his counsel all the more impactful. Green reflected, “As someone who had a thing in the palm of his hand, left it and then went back to get it, that’s a different insight.”
When you think about it, joining the Grizzlies would have kept Green in the competitive Western Conference, LeBron knew the right move for his friend. See, that’s what friends are for – keeping it a buck.
His advice ultimately helped Green see that the bond and legacy he had with the Warriors was something truly special, and that remaining in Golden State would offer him the chance to continue building on that success.
In the end, Green chose to remain with the Warriors, keeping the core trio of him, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson intact for the foreseeable future—much to the benefit of the Warriors and perhaps to the chagrin of their rivals, including LeBron.
Yesterday (November 12) at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) and the Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) showcased their skills at Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions’ Open Workouts.
All fighters on the main and preliminary cards participated in the open workout, including undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs), who will face off in the most-anticipated women’s boxing rematch in history. Additional fighters showcased included Mario Barrios, Abel Ramos, Neeraj Goyat, Whindersson Nunes, Shadasia Green, Lucas Bahdi, and Shu Shu Carrington Jr.
They were joined by co-hosts Amir Tyson, former MMA champion Tyron Woodley, and famed YouTube boxing commentator Wade Plemons. Fans and media gathered in large numbers to witness the event, which gave a preview of the action to come.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson will stream live globally, exclusively on Netflix on Friday, November 15 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The co-main event features undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) vs. unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) in the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in history.
For the past week, the talk of New York has been that the Mets have been “super aggressive” in their attempt to land former New York Yankee and MLB’s top free agent Juan Soto in a Mets uniform by Opening Day 2025. It has been confirmed that Mets owner Steve Cohen has offered up almost $200 million to free agents and contract finalizations, creating the conditions to give Soto and his agent Scott Boras what he wants in order to bring him to Citi Field.
The question is how far will Cohen and Stearns go to get Soto? Rumor is that NL MVP finalist Francisco Lindor flew to Los Angeles on Sunday, just a few days after it was reported that Cohen, Soto and Boras are scheduled to have a meeting in L.A. about the 2025 season and beyond with the Mets.
See what Lindor has to say about the reason for his trip to L.A. and if he plans to meet with Cohen, Soto and Boras HERE
Lindor said that he wishes “nothing but the best” for the Yankees slugger and added, “I hope he makes the best decision for himself and his family.”
Lindor maybe the key in Soto’s final decision, being that he is being courted by several other organizations including the Dodgers, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Giants while even the Bombers have stated they’d love to have #22 baxck again next season.
It has been estimated that Soto’s final contract could range from $600-700 million over the next 12 to 14 years.
With the highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul scheduled for November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Gametime, the leading app for last-minute tickets, has released updated ticket prices.
Currently, the lowest-priced tickets are available for $71, including taxes and fees, a significant decrease from $91 last week and $132 a month ago. When the fight was first announced, tickets were priced at $420. For those seeking a closer view, ringside seats are available for $1,475, down from $2,094 last week and a staggering $40,000 earlier this year.
The ticket price reductions come as anticipation builds for the event, which promises to be a major spectacle. Fans still have a chance to secure tickets for what is sure to be one of the year’s most talked-about fights.
Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the three bout preliminary card of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Serrano vs. Taylor 2 mega-event on Friday, November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Headlining the preliminary card will be MVP’s super middleweight powerhouse and the WBO’s #1 contender Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green (14-1, 11 KOs) vs. the WBO’s #2 contender Melinda “The Whip” Watpool (7-0, 2 KO) in a 10 round women’s championship fight contested at 168 lbs for the vacant WBO super middleweight world title. Joining Green and Watpool on the preliminary card, top-ranked IBF and WBA contender Lucas “Prince” Bahdi (17-0, 15 KOs) will take on Orlando, Florida’s Corey “2Smoove” Marksman (10-0-1, 7 KOs) in a 10 round lightweight battle of two of boxing’s undefeated contenders as each puts their undefeated record on the line early in their career. Also on the preliminary card will be an 8 round featherweight fight between two standout prospects, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Jr. (13-0, 8 KOs) and Australian action fighter Dana “Deadly” Coolwell (13-2, 8 KOs). Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2 will air live globally on Netflix on Friday, November 15 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and is anticipated to be the biggest boxing event in modern history, and fans can purchase tickets now at seatgeek.com.
Making her second world title fight appearance in the headlining bout of the Paul vs. Tyson preliminary card will be MVP’s super middleweight powerhouse Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green (14-1, 11 KOs). Green, the former standout college basketball star and Team USA boxing silver medalist, joined MVP in January 2023 after a trailblazing start to her professional career. Shortly after, Green defeated the former unified world champion Elin Cederroos with a vicious sixth-round TKO, marking the first and only time Cederroos was ever stopped in her career. Green’s bout against Olivia Curry in August 2023 led to a resounding unanimous decision victory as part of the Paul-Diaz undercard. Green rose to #1 ranking in the WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBF ahead of her women’s championship fight against former undisputed and now-WBC super middleweight champion Franchon-Crews Dezurn for the WBC world and WBA Interim titles. The bout resulted in a disappointing decision loss for Green, who returned to the ring in July 2024 to prove her status as a title contender, earning a unanimous decision win over Canada’s Natasha Spence. Following her win, the Patterson, NJ native Green is once again the WBO’s #1 contender at super middleweight.
Facing Green for the WBO super middleweight title will be Canada’s Melinda ‘The Whip’ Watpool (7-0, 2 KO). Ranked the WBO’s #2 super middleweight contender and WBA’s #1 middleweight contender, Watpool most recently had a decisive win over Natasha Spence to claim the WBA International Middleweight Championship in September 2024, and now will step up to face Green for the WBO super middleweight title. Watpool, the former five-time Canadian amateur champion from Pefferlaw, Ontario, has taken the professional ranks by storm since she turned professional in late 2022, racking up seven consecutive wins and now positioning herself for her WBO world title challenge against Shadasia Green.
Canadian boxer Lucas “Prince” Bahdi (17-0, 15 KOs) comes to the ring by way of Niagara Falls, Ontario. The 30-year-old top contender has gone undefeated since making his professional debut in mid-2019, winning his first 11 fights by knockout. Bahdi had unanimous decision wins against Diego Fabian Eligio and Diego Andrade Chavez in 2022 before resuming his knockout streak. In May 2023, Bahdi defeated Jesus Amparan to claim the IBF North American Lightweight title. Bahdi is a top-ranked lightweight by both the IBF and WBA and most recently, proved himself among the best title contenders in the lightweight division when he scored a knockout of the year contender win over H2O Sylve on the main card of Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024.
Orlando, Florida’s Corey “2Smoove” Marksman (10-0-1, 7 KOs) will take the ring against Bahdi in a 10-round lightweight bout. The talented 24-year-old prospect made a name for himself in his first major PPV appearance on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry main card in July 2024, in a rematch against Tony Aguilar. The pair’s first meeting resulted in a well-fought split decision draw, contested during MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 5 in February 2024. In the rematch, Marksman impressed with grit, power, and endurance, taking home a majority decision win. He now enters the most difficult test yet of his young career, aiming to prove himself against one of the best lightweight contenders of the world in Bahdi.
The preliminary card will also feature a bout between two top-ranked featherweight talents, the undefeated Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Jr. (13-0, 8 KOs) vs. Australia’s Dana Coolwell (13-2, 8 KOs). The 27-year-old standout prospect Carrington comes to the ring from Brownsville, NY, home of Mike Tyson. Carrington is a three-year pro who has emerged as the featherweight division’s fastest-rising contender, currently ranked No. 2 by the WBC and WBO. He entered the professional ranks following a storied amateur career that included a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials gold medal. He began his 2024 campaign with February’s highlight-reel knockout of Bernard Torres, which was featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10. Four months later, he dominated Brayan De Gracia en route to an eighth-round stoppage. Carrington now comes into this high-profile fight coming off the stiffest test of his young career, his September 27 majority decision win over Sulaiman Segawa.
Dana “Deadly” Coolwell (13-2, 8 KOs) is a 25-year-old Australian Indigenous boxer, known for his resilience and remarkable journey from adversity to success. A proud Aboriginal man from the Mununjali tribe in Queensland, Coolwell overcame an early life marked by hardship, struggling with direction and purpose amidst family struggles. He discovered boxing at age 14 at Hinterland Boxing Club, where he met Steve Pitt, his coach, mentor, and father figure. Using his natural speed, athleticism, and hard work, Coolwell progressed throughout Australia’s boxing ranks under Pitt’s guidance, most recently securing the IBO Intercontinental featherweight title in a unanimous decision win over Fernando Tagpuno Jr. The talented young prospect is undefeated at featherweight and aims to become the next Indigenous Australian world champion and Australia’s next great boxing story, following names like Anothy Mundine, Daniel Geale, and Lionel Rose.
“From start to finish, Paul vs. Tyson will deliver an exciting night of boxing to fans at AT&T Stadium and across the globe on Friday, November 15, beginning with an action-packed preliminary card,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “Less than a year after her first title shot, MVP’s own Shadasia Green has fought her way back and is ready to claim the WBO world championship, but first she has to get through Melinda Watpool, who has her eyes on the prize. We are proud to continue our commitment to showcasing women’s boxing by featuring another title bout on this incredible card. Corey Marksman first caught our eye on Most Valuable Prospects, and after his standout performance on Paul vs. Perry, we’re thrilled to have him return to face Lucas Bahdi, who delivered a knockout-of-the-year contender on the same card. With the thrilling addition of Shu Shu Carrington and Dana Coolwell, a proud Aboriginal fighter from the Mununjali tribe, this card truly embodies the diversity and world-class talent that defines MVP.”
The Paul vs. Tyson main event will feature the 8-round heavyweight battle between international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) vs. The Baddest Man on the Planet Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs). In the co-main event, undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) will put all her super lightweight belts on the line against boxing trailblazer and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) in a 10 round women’s championship fight, the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in history. Also on the main card will be the 12-round men’s championship fight for the WBC welterweight title between reigning champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29-2, 18 KOs) vs. Abel Ramos (28-6-2, 22 KOs) and a 6-round super middleweight fight between India’s number one boxer and MVP’s first international signee Neeraj Goyat (18-4-2, 8 KOs) vs. Brazil’s multi-talented superstar Whindersson Nunes (2-2-1, 1 KO combined boxing record).
Here we go again with for the second annual Emirates NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament. The new-ish edition to the NBA format is set to kick off tomorrow, November 12, with an exciting doubleheader on TNT. The tournament begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, when the New York Knicks will face the Philadelphia 76ers. A highlight of the game will be the season debut of Joel Embiid, who is making his long-awaited return to the court.
Dialing in the second game of the evening will feature the Golden State Warriors taking on the Dallas Mavericks at 10 p.m. ET. This matchup will mark the return of Klay Thompson to the Bay Area, as he faces his former team after leaving the Warriors to join the Mavericks in free agency.
Get this, the Emirates NBA Cup will see all 30 NBA teams split into six groups of five, with three groups from the Western Conference and three from the Eastern Conference. Each team will play the other teams in its group once.
Here’s how it will shape up. The six group winners, along with one wild card team from each conference, will advance to the knockout stage. From there, all games will be single-elimination, with the quarterfinals held at home venues. The tournament will conclude in Las Vegas with the semifinals and championship game, scheduled for December 14 and 17, respectively.
Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup champions last season, finishing the tournament undefeated with a perfect 7-0 record. LeBron James, who led the team to victory, was named the first-ever In-Season Tournament MVP. Reflecting on the achievement, James said, “We’re the first champions of the in-season tournament, and nobody can ever top that. It’s great to do it with a historical franchise and just a great cast of funny, engaged, competitive men over here.”
